Author Archive
Workforce
Congressional committees tackle bills governing telework, marijuana and labor unions
While a Senate panel advanced bills improving telework data reporting by federal agencies and codifying the end of the restriction on federal employees’ past use of marijuana, its House counterpart advanced controversial bills aimed at busting federal employee unions and adding leading questions to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
Workforce
Former executives warn Schedule F poses risk to national security
Even if not maximally pursued initially, experts said the effort to replace nonpartisan workers in policy jobs with political loyalists could make presidential transitions even more precarious.
Management
Trump’s second-term agenda: Breaking the bureaucracy
If elected this fall, Donald Trump's return to Washington would promise a more aggressive—and plausible—campaign to hobble unions, politicize the nonpartisan civil service and remake the federal government in the Republican’s image.
Workforce
O’Malley makes last ditch effort to secure Biden’s budget proposal for Social Security
The commissioner said that without a budget anomaly to boost funding at the agency, the Social Security Administration would need to institute a hiring freeze and would see its workforce fall to a 50-year low.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers file discharge petition to repeal controversial tax rule affecting federal retirees
The Social Security Fairness Act has broad bipartisan support both in Congress and among federal employee unions.
Management
There is little consensus in Washington on spending following August recess
The House last weekend unveiled a continuing resolution that would fund federal programs for six months at fiscal 2024 levels and institute new voter ID provisions, a nonstarter for Democrats.
Oversight
MSPB to update rules to make operations smoother without a quorum
An interim final rule slated for publication next week updates the Merit Systems Protection Board’s procedures to allow the agency to take more actions without a full slate of political appointees.
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Management
Trump vows to establish an 'efficiency commission' with Elon Musk at the helm
The former president said the Tesla CEO has “agreed” to head up a task force aimed at cutting federal programs.
Workforce
D.C. lawmaker reintroduces measure to grant whistleblower, OSHA protections to congressional workers
The Congress Leads by Example Act would afford employees of the legislative branch whistleblower and OSHA retaliation protections, along with parental bereavement leave benefits.
Management
Biden administration seeks more Social Security funding, election and transition provisions in possible CR
The Office of Management and Budget made the requests as part of the process by which the White House and Congress prepare for the potential need to pass a short-term continuing resolution in September.
Pay & Benefits
All TSP portfolios posted modest gains in August
Each of the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program’s investment options gained value for the second straight month.
Pay & Benefits
Biden formally announces 2% average pay raise for feds in 2025
The president each August must declare an “economic emergency” to prevent large automatic increases to locality pay from taking effect, in accordance with the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
Pay & Benefits
OPM reminds agencies to grant feds leave to vote
Federal workers are entitled to up to four hours of paid administrative leave to go to the polls, thanks to an executive order signed by President Biden in 2021.
Workforce
Trump calls federal workforce 'crooked,' vows to hold them 'accountable'
In an interview with a right-wing Youtuber, the former president seemingly alluded to reviving Schedule F and other Trump-era policies aimed at making it easier to fire federal employees.
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Pay & Benefits
House lawmakers plan to force a vote on bill to kill provision that cuts some feds' retirement pay
The Social Security Fairness Act would abolish two tax provisions that reduce retirement benefits for some federal workers.
Management
Social Security to finalize rules making expanded phone and video hearings permanent
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the agency quickly pivoted toward offering disability determination hearings by phone and video, options that remain popular today.
Workforce
The other time an administration sought a ‘more responsive’ federal workforce
An investigator into the Nixon administration’s civil service abuses says Schedule F shares a lineage with the disgraced former president.
Management
GSA will update its property management regulations to reflect gender inclusive pronouns
The agency previously adopted similar updates to regulations governing federal travel earlier this year.
Workforce
A gender equity group is urging ‘strict and specific’ sexual misconduct reform for the federal workforce
The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network said its employer could serve as a model, following the creation of a sexual misconduct response system at the department last year.
Pay & Benefits
GSA: Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall
The amount of money federal agencies will reimburse employees for traveling expenses will increase for both lodging and for meals and incidentals beginning in October.
